The field of plumbing, heating, and pipefitting represents the installation and repair of water supply piping, waste and vent piping, and fuel-fired heating systems in residential and commercial buildings.

The Instructional Program

The one-year Plumbing, Heating, and Pipefitting certificate program consists of the first-year courses from the two-year associate-degree program in Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning. Most students interested in this field enroll directly in the associate-degree program (for more information, see the Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning program description). The certificate is primarily for those individuals who can only spend one year in college. It is a two-semester program that begins each fall. If a student completes the certificate program and then decides to continue on for the associate degree in Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning, the courses taken for the certificate will transfer with no loss of credit.

Career Options

The job titles associated with graduates of the Plumbing, Heating, and Pipefitting certificate program are:

Plumber Helper

Plumber Apprentice

Heating Apprentice

There are career opportunities with plumbing unions, plumbing and heating contractors, and oil and gas distributors. Students who continue on for the associate degree increase their options for employment in the field of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning.

Display the ability to measure, cut, and join steel pipe, copper tubing, plastic and cast iron soil pipe; demonstrate knowledge of fittings as well as basic fabrication of sheet-metal principles and layout techniques.

Exhibit basic drafting techniques as they relate to the plumbing, heating, and pipefitting field through the completion of various drawings such as piping isometrics, plumbing floor plans, and riser diagrams.